HOST, LMHOST

Could any one clarify the difference between, HOSTS and LMHOST.
Thanks

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Historically it is a Microsoft thing. Normally you only have a hosts file in things like Linux. The LM stands for Lan manager. It helped NETBIOS work mostly.

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=105997

In Windows NT, the HOSTS file is for TCP/IP utilities, and the LMHOSTS file is for LAN Manager NET utilities. If you cannot PING another computer (using a friendly name), check the HOSTS file. If you cannot NET VIEW a server using only the TCP/IP protocol, check the LMHOSTS file.

sprkymrk

For the test just remember:
A hosts file resolves host names to ip addresses.
An lmhosts file resolves netbios names to ip addresses.

agustinchernitsky

Hello,

LMHOSTS is used in WINS resolution. Normally, there are ways to resolve NetBIOS names:

1.- Using broadcasts
2.- Using WINS servers
3.- Reading LMHOSTS files

The order depends on DHCP options or how you configure you local TCP/IP stack. Normally, if you don't use WINS servers, its: broadcasts then LMHOSTS.

HOSTS file is used for "hosts", using FQDN. Normally you use DNS servers, but before they existed, people used hosts files to associate names with IPs.

This was very difficult to mantain in big networks, so they invented DNS servers where all host names were centralized. Normally, you query a DNS then the Hostfile.

WINS servers are used in networks were multiple logical segments are used... because NetBEUI is a non routable protocol. With WINS, legacy apps can register their NetBIOS names on a centralized server were all clients can query it.

Hope it helps!

Danman32

WINS isn't used for Netbeui, it is used for TCP/IP to resolve Netbios names.

agustinchernitsky

Yes, now its NetBIOS over TCP/IP. A long time ago was NetBIOS over NetBEUI.

Still, were did I say WINS was used for NetBEUI? Maybe I forgot to add that NetBIOS over TCP/IP replaced it

Cheers!

Danman32

It seemed strongly implied with "WINS servers are used in networks were multiple logical segments are used... because NetBEUI is a non routable protocol. With WINS, legacy apps can register their NetBIOS names on a centralized server were all clients can query it. "

agustinchernitsky

Hello Danman,

Yep, maybe I should add the NetBIOS over TCP/IP next time...

Saludos amigo.

Danman32

Thats why I so disliked the Security+ practice exam that had the answer to disable (unbind) neteui on the public interface of a 98 dual homed PC.
Netbeui won't do any good on the internet. Now Netbios (AKA MS client/MS file/print sharing) bound on the public interface would indeed be a security problem.

Netbios over TCP/IP name discovery broadcasts can't generally cross routers, so WINS does the netbios resolutions similar to how DNS servers resolve FQDNs.

blargoe

Danman32 wrote:

Netbeui won't do any good on the internet. Now Netbios (AKA MS client/MS file/print sharing) bound on the public interface would indeed be a security problem.

If you're not behind a router and had netbeui turned on, then any host using your ISP on the same subnet as you could have their way with you

Danman32

I don't think that was the intent of the question. Even with only IP, someone on the same segment of the ISP could have their way with you. The point was to not allow netbios access from the internet. Netbios is somewhere around the session layer. Netbeui is at the network layer.

agustinchernitsky

Well, that is why you should disable Print / File sharing and MS net client bindings on an interface that is connected to the inet. MS strongly recommends this

Danman32

I KNOW this. My point was what was on a Security+ practice question that seems to use Netbios and NetBeui synonymously.

agustinchernitsky

I know you know!!

The fact that they write the exams doesn't mean they are right on all the concepts... although they should!

Saludos amigo!

jpeezy55

sprkymrk wrote:

For the test just remember:
A hosts file resolves host names to ip addresses.
An lmhosts file resolves netbios names to ip addresses.

When I was studying for this exam, I would always get them mixed up...I found the easiest way to remember that LMHosts is for NetBios is to think of your alphabet... LMN -- LMhosts goes with Netbios. Once I made that simple connection, it made sense and I never forgot which was which and what it did.

Just my goofy thought process in action...

Danman32

Hey, if it works, who cares? I kinda like it myself.

agustinchernitsky

Not bad at all!!!